Single-shot 35 Whelen for the Big Bears

[freimuth]

I have recently aquired an H&R in 35 Whelen with a 26 inch barrel. I know the caliber is enough for them, but would you reccommend using a single-shot or not? Also, how much velocity can I expect to gain over the published ones considering the longer barrel? Thanks.

[C. Schutte]

I'm no expert with shooting bears much less the big ones so keep in mind that my opinion is only what it is but why in the world would you go after dangerous game with only one round at your disposal? That caliber is more than likely able to kill a big brown or griz but what about stopping a charge? Do you feel comfortable risking your life on having one shot? What if you miss? Just my opinion but I think it would be foolish. chs

[Mark]

When John Browning's single shot came out in 1875 (or so), fellows were happy because they had a rifle powerful enough for the big stuff. If you check the ballistics, the Whelen is pretty respectable compared to the black powder rounds.

A single shot is all the fellows had years ago.

The question is, how do you feel about a single shot? If you believe, and there's not a shred of doubt in your mind, you will be successful. It's the doubt that's going to make this difficult for you. You are better armed than the old timers.

Mark

[JimT]

Make it count and your all set........

[Whitetailguy]

Learn to reload quickly and carry a good backup pistol, just in case.

Happy Hunting,
WTG

[lone eagle]

[QUOTE=freimuth;218290]I , but would you reccommend using a single-shot or not?

NO

[Wolfgang]

Learn to reload quickly and carry a good backup pistol, just in case.

Happy Hunting,
WTG

There was a video of using a single shot Rossi shotgun for home defense and with practice the guy was able to reload in under 2 seconds consistently. Which can be fast enough unless the bear charges and you don't get a good first shot, but in that case you would be better served by a pistol after you shoot the rifle.

[Mark]

Personally, I'd forget about the pistol. Too slow to deploy, not enough power to make things worthwhile.

IMO, a fellow could slide another Whelen up the pipe in less time than dropping a rifle, and drawing a pistol.

Mark

[ROVERT]

Unless he's Alaskan, he's not going to be able to hunt big browns w/out a guide (who would presumably be well armed) is he?

If guided, would a guide have a problem with it? I don't know, just asking, but I imagine there are plenty of people who insist on taking them with smokesticks and bows and arrows.

if you are Alaskan and going it on your own, it doesn't seem prudent.

[blkdia]

Single shots are my choice for all hunting, I don't see it as a problem at all. My other favorite is a revolver.

[mstarbird2000]

It might just be me....... but I would not go after anything that would chew on my hind eng with a single shot!!!!

[Harry B.]

Sir;
I have several 45-70s. A marlin 1895SS, a Browning single shot, a single shot 375 H&H and a 416 Remington magnum.
Have you ever read Peter Hathaway Capstick on African hunting? I have and the very last thing I'd do (and I'll go out 18 miles in the Atlantic in an 18 foot boat) is hunt anything that could claw or eat me with a single shot rifle of any make!
Yes, the 45-70 will take a bear - any bear - but your H&R is not recommended for heavy loads!
I admire your moxie but please don't do this!
Yes, in muzzle-loader days, after the repeating rifles made their debut hunters of dangerous game quickly bought them.
Yes, I know the nostalgie - I share it with you - but it is foolhardy to face a bear, or any dangerous game with a single shot!
But, if your pruivate parts tell you to do this then get it on - but be very careful!
Harry B.

[blkdia]

It has been my impression that those who use SS weapons are more picky about shot selection as opposed to those with less confidence in their abilities who chose to use multi-shot weapons knowing that after they take a risky shot, they can keep taking bad shots. JMHO

[C. Schutte]

Yesterday I went by another local hunting and fishing store that shall remain nameless and they had the "Bear of great Concern" on display. This is an Alaskan Brown bear that was shot at least 8 times before it expired. If I remember correctly the hunter (using a .375 H&H) along with his guide shot this brute once forcing it into the alders. Over the course of three hours the bear charged them no less than 4 times. In each of those times the charge was stopped because both the guide and hunter were shooting the bear. Finally it charged one last time before they shot it in the back of the neck. I say they because both hunter and guide were shooting for their own defense.

Something to consider when selecting your bear rifle..................chs

[blkdia]

A perfect example of p%#@ poor marksmanship, thanks Charles, my point exactly! lol

[lone eagle]

It has been my impression that those who use SS weapons are more picky about shot selection as opposed to those with less confidence in their abilities who chose to use multi-shot weapons knowing that after they take a risky shot, they can keep taking bad shots. JMHO


maybe

but I know I dont take what you describe as risky shots regardless of the firearm I am using. If the Moose dont go down quick, it can end up in the middle of the lake, a sheep and goat can stumble into a cavern and even if you can get it you can lose some of the horn from the fall, I hate injuring a deer, elk, caribou but I also hate tracking them for miles. Risky shots dont do it for me--single or multiple shot firearm

As for bears their is documented cases of eskimos killing polar bears with a 22 hornet, before that spears and bows and arrows, same with grizzly, and their has also been several hunters killed by Grizzlies back then. So with today technology in firearms, why would you want to risk life and limb when you dont have to. I would never use a single shot to hunt bears nor would I ever recommend it to others.

Earlier there was discussion about reloading and pistols. I am sure somebody our there can reload a single shot almost as fast I can use a bolt action, but not many, and even if you could one has to wonder if he would be as "good" at reloading a single shot when a grizzly is on a dead run straight at you--same with the pistol, no matter how good of a shot you are with it --believe me your ability changes when a grizzly is running straight at you. And there must be some misconception about their speed, they may not be quick as a cat, but they can move.

[blkdia]

That is why we all hunt the way we choose, I never said you or anyone else HAS to hunt with a single shot, just said I'd have no problem doing it myself. In this day of technology, one doesn't even HAVE to hunt to have a bear on the wall, just because it can be done easier, doesn't mean a person wants it to be easier. You can go to the grocery and buy meat, why hunt?

[lone eagle]

That is why we all hunt the way we choose, I never said you or anyone else HAS to hunt with a single shot, just said I'd have no problem doing it myself. In this day of technology, one doesn't even HAVE to hunt to have a bear on the wall, just because it can be done easier, doesn't mean a person wants it to be easier. You can go to the grocery and buy meat, why hunt?

I could not agree more with your first two sentences. We all have the right to hunt the way we choose. Bow, black powder, modern, or if we are lucky all of them. But I am not sure it is any easier for me to hunt with a single shot than a multi shot rifle. To get to where your able to take that first non risky shot would take the same effort. As far as why hunt, I think the meat in the freezer comes behind, the enjoyment of hunting, being in the outdoors, being with friends around the campfire--but later admittedly the meat tastes good also

[blkdia]

I could not agree more with your first two sentences. We all have the right to hunt the way we choose. Bow, black powder, modern, or if we are lucky all of them. But I am not sure it is any easier for me to hunt with a single shot than a multi shot rifle. To get to where your able to take that first non risky shot would take the same effort. As far as why hunt, I think the meat in the freezer comes behind, the enjoyment of hunting, being in the outdoors, being with friends around the campfire--but later admittedly the meat tastes good also

I was being sarcastic.
I, on the other hand put meat first, could care less about horns. Not that I won't bust the first one that I like, but I've killed many, so I don't expect it's out there, hope it is though.
I also enjoy all of the other things you mention, but I hunt to kill meat. One can always sleep-in and go on a nature walk later, or pick a day without rain or sleet to enjoy nature.
I also choose to hunt with a recurve, a pistol, a ML. I like a challenge.
As far as sitting around a campfire, it's the best, I miss it dearly. When I was younger, there was always deer camp. Now, it's gone as are most of the guys around it. Now I hunt alone or with one friend.
As far as taking a risk. I think most hunters that choose to hunt dangerous game do it for that reason, knowing a mistake could be their last is part of the allure. We will probably never see eye to eye on SS making one a more picky hunter, that's all good, I hope all of your hunts are great hunts!
Denny

[lone eagle]

blkdia

I also preferred hunting when I stood up when around the campfire and it didnt hurt and I was able to stand up quickly LOL

I prefer it when it is raining, or sleeting, or eight feet of snow ---NOT ! LOL You make a good point there as well

Your point about hunting dangerous game is also well taken. Forget the single shot as what we have been discussing, it just happens to be part of this true story.

A friend of mine a few years back was married, and had taken a mistress in the same small town, I told him it was kind of like hunting bear a single shot rifle --- I had forgotten about this until your post -- thanks for bringing an old memory back to life in my head.

I hope your freezer is always full --have a great season

[blkdia]

blkdia

I also preferred hunting when I stood up when around the campfire and it didnt hurt and I was able to stand up quickly LOL

I prefer it when it is raining, or sleeting, or eight feet of snow ---NOT ! LOL You make a good point there as well

Your point about hunting dangerous game is also well taken. Forget the single shot as what we have been discussing, it just happens to be part of this true story.

A friend of mine a few years back was married, and had taken a mistress in the same small town, I told him it was kind of like hunting bear a single shot rifle --- I had forgotten about this until your post -- thanks for bringing an old memory back to life in my head.

I hope your freezer is always full --have a great season

Thanks for that analogy, now I've got to go buy a 30 round clip!!!!

[dino82520]

25 years ago I used to hunt elk in an area between Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks. I carried a #1 Ruger chambered in 25-06. Fortunately I have outgrown such idiocy. As many will tell you, a 25-06 is a little on the light side for a full grown rocky mountain elk. It is just about guaranteed to do nothing more than enrage a 600 lb grizley that is planning on making you the next item on his lunch menu. I would not hunt any rocky mtn griz with a single shot rifle in any caliber short of a .50 BMG round. I would not even consider taking on one of the 1,000 lb Alaska variants with any single shot rifle. I know some hunters have scored trophies with bows. Mine aren't solid brass and I have no inclination to see if they are.

[blkdia]

I would have figured you to take on a griz with your .380! lol
I agree that I would not feel too comfy with a 25-06, but that's a far cry from a 35 Whelen.
I hunted the Swan Lake area of MT for years with a .350RM handcannon, a SS. That, if you are not familiar with the area, is one of the most dangerous areas as far as griz is concerned in the lower 48. It is where all the trouble making bears from Yellowstone and Glacier find their new homes. I felt just fine toting that gun although I tried to NOT get caught out after dark, especially when hunting alone. I'll have to get back with you as far as what mine are made of, must consult with the boss! lol
Jeez, you guys want to live forever?

[Agunner]

I go with lone eagle on this one.
NO ...
but thats not to say the round and rifle aren't up to the task.
It's just that...
well,
How well do you know your guide?
I'd want to trust him pretty well.
You should also be able to out run him.
single shot? well it should work just fine ... IF nothing goes amiss.
And thats the rub...
If it does .... well lets just say you'll get your moneys worth, and have a fine story
... if you survive...
Bruin have a reputation for becoming upleasant when hurt.
which'S why I understand, indians call him "the guy that kills you when you hurt him" (something like that, I can't use the exact language I heard) ...

[claq]

Hmm...let me think about this one....One shot eh? At a Grizzly eh??

Unless it's a "drive by shooting" count me out thanks!

:)

[tjen]

Yes the whelen is a killer of big bears it has a well erned reputation for doing just that.

All guns are single shots if they do not rechamber a round. And every shot specialy on dangerous game should be threated like its a single shot. Never think I have more in the magazine maybe you do maybe not! If the ammo is not in the chamber your not shooting it.

I think more highly of a single shot hunter toting a 35whelen or even a 30-06 then those with the I have a whole magizine mind set. Its how you hunt and what shots you take and if the bear dose not know your there your pretty safe. I would never shoot at a bear that knew I was even in the county. Its just how I hunt gun or recurve no excuse for putting your self in real danger where followp shots are required to stay alive. If you hunt from cover and if after the shot the bear hesitates because it does not know what happened by all means put a second bullet in him.

Use the Nosler Custom Ammo with 250gr partitions and you will get the listed MZ as they us 24" test barrels. The single shot is very simple and very reliable much more than any auto,pump, or lever.

[Agunner]

Yes the whelen is a killer of big bears it has a well erned reputation for doing just that.

All guns are single shots if they do not rechamber a round. And every shot specialy on dangerous game should be threated like its a single shot. Never think I have more in the magazine maybe you do maybe not! If the ammo is not in the chamber your not shooting it.

I think more highly of a single shot hunter toting a 35whelen or even a 30-06 then those with the I have a whole magizine mind set. Its how you hunt and what shots you take and if the bear dose not know your there your pretty safe. I would never shoot at a bear that knew I was even in the county. Its just how I hunt gun or recurve no excuse for putting your self in real danger where followp shots are required to stay alive. If you hunt from cover and if after the shot the bear hesitates because it does not know what happened by all means put a second bullet in him.

Use the Nosler Custom Ammo with 250gr partitions and you will get the listed MZ as they us 24" test barrels. The single shot is very simple and very reliable much more than any auto,pump, or lever.


Single shot mind set ... Granted
ANd that is how people wanting to hunt bruin more than once should think!
But ...
I still wouldn't even use a non control feed action ... much less a single shot.
Just me though. I'd much sooner use a rack grade 03 in .30-06 than a single shot .375H&H
I don't have a good reason ... like I said, thats just me.
While I have never used more than one round (on anything) from my 9,3x62, I still felt alot better knowing where they were.
so ... youre still right, its just ... Me I guess.